Saturday, September 19, 2015

Still Walking

Thank you all for your kind and compassionate messages about my Skitty boy. They were all very comforting. Thanks also for so warmly welcoming me back to blogging. I'm not sure how much time I'll be putting into posting and visiting but I'll take it one step at a time. So for now, here's step number two..

Peterborough - it's a lovely city. And an incredibly friendly town. I have gone out for walks most evenings and have yet to return home without having engaged in at least a couple of chats with people. There's a river and lake within walking distance of my apartment. All of my shopping needs can be reached by car in just a few minutes. It's a creative town - a musical city - an artsy community. There's always some form of entertainment happening somewhere - or so it seems. Of course, just as in the old days, if I go out walking, my camera comes along - and at least for today, so do you.

Somewhere on the street close to my place, the late-day sunshine was playfully teasing these vivid flowers.

A multicoloured clothesline caught my eye from a distance.

Breast cancer survivors were out for a group paddle on Little Lake. Champions, one and all. That's Centennial Fountain in the background.

As my fellow Canadians can probably figure out, Centennial Fountain began spouting water over Little Lake in 1967 - 100 years after confederation. All week long, the city has been celebrating Peterborough Pride and even the sunlit fountain shows its support with a colourful rainbow.

A view of the lakeside homes across the way.

Many Peterborians (yup, that's what we're called - I'd have preferred Peterbudlians but I just got here and don't have a say in those matters) take their boats out for a paddle after work.

Others might go out for a tour of the locks on the local riverboat.

There is no shortage of ducks, geese and gulls along the shores of Little Lake. I have also seen the occasional heron and I'm told there are loons - though I've yet to see or hear them.

On this particular evening, a group was setting up these floating candles in preparation for a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The candles were later sent out on the lake. I didn't hang around that long but you can see a photo of that here.

Here's a closeup of that world peace flower.

Heading back toward my apartment, the sun was still flirting with flowers.

As early as August 9, a solitary maple tree was anxious to get on with autumn. Slow it down, willya?

And this concludes our first walk together in Peterborough. Thanks for joining me. I hope you'll come along for several more before too long.

We like to visit Peterborough, typical tourists we took the boat tour through the locks, enjoyed Little Lake, visited the sights and bought some goodies at the British store in the plaza by the lake. Enjoy the walking as you get to know the town better. I hear they have a good garden show in the spring.

Pretty place to take a stroll! When I saw the wash on the line I had to think of my Amish neighbors...although they don't have such colorful clothing! I'll enjoy getting to know your new digs as I enjoy seeing your lovely photos! Our county fair starts tomorrow and I did enter a few photos for judging...hoping to score something! Have a good weekend!

It is such a delight to be part of your live again in photos. You are my eyes in a part of the world I love to see. Water, flowers, people, animals and activities are all on my want list......thanks for sharing sweet lady. xoxo Oma Linda

Oh, this looks like a special little town so close to the water. Glad it is such a beautiful and friendly place. Very, very best to you, Hilary, and hope to see you online again soon. Love and hugs!! :)

i think if you have to start over, this is a really lovely place to do it .. i am glad you shared your walk and your lovely little town with us ... i have missed you, your photos and most especially your sense of humor! xo

Everything around you will guide your next steps. Glad you are sharing; in itself, the act of writing and taking pictures are all healing. Life is just a series of leaps or tiny steps; you just have to adjust the energy you expand on getting away from your past. Big hugs.

Welcome back Hilary, you were missed.Peterborough is a pretty nice place isn't it? (Maybe I'm a bit prejudiced seeing as I was born and raised there.) I can see my sisters home, with her spectacular view of the lake, in one of your photos. Peterborough is a really vital community. So much to see and do there. At one point my sister and I were discussing moving to Bancroft. When her home behind Costco sold (do I need to say whY?), she found that great place in East City. She has started a new chapter in her life there, and I must say, GOOD ON YOU, to both of you!

You still have the great eye to find a good photo with lots of color and great composition. Keep taking those walks. I suffer with my blogger friends when they lose pets and I don't know what to say. I have one very old pet that we treasure every single day that we still have him. It will be a very bad day when we lose him.

Hi, again, dear Hilary! You live in a marvelous community. A clean city, one that is rich in culture, with art galleries, music in the park, and numerous bodies of water, are all factors that Mrs. Shady and I require as we edit our short list of possible retirement spots. I am very happy to know you have such beautiful surroundings. I wish you much happiness there, dear friend Hilary!

Golly it does seem you were missed...with all these comments! Shows that your personality does carry in your writing. I think your new town is lovely and is going to fit you just fine as you piece together everything...which, of course, you will.

HI Hilary, glad to see you and your camera still working. I’m sorry you’ve had problems, hope they are survivable and you’ll go on delighting us with your pictures.

I’ve been away from blogging myself, due to a few problems, but am getting slowly back to it. This place is a good place, lots of sympathetic people wishing each other well and making lovely empathetic noises.

Cameras are wonderful companions - I cherish the time I spend with mine. You've really heightened my interest in Peterborough, thank you for this. I was there decades ago to visit a university I was considering attending and completely missed the beauty you have illuminated here. I particularly love the peace flower and the sun-kissed chair with flowers, light and shadow. Keep moving at the pace of guidance, healing takes time and is worth every moment invested ... Sally.

Hilary, I have just been reading back over your last post, trying to piece together the new perspective and I can see you have been through many changes and much heart break, but you have found a way forward and the future will evolve in ways you could not even begin to imagine. Sending you some love and good wishes x

Good Evening from Phoenix, Arizona Hilary! This is a splendid post and I smiled so much at seeing your magnificent photography back for thousands to enjoy--as a gift should be! I rather like this new place. It certainly has charm, and I too believe it is where healing is already well underway! Thumbs up!!!! :)

Keep walking with your camera at hand, you always see the right things to capture! I was in Peterborough last year on a cruise along the canal on the riverboat, had lots of fun. Lots of free outdoor concerts in Del Crary Park in the summer. Didn't get there this year, but I'll meet you there next summer, keep an eye out for the 2016 lineup!

What's It All About?

I love wordplay. Puns and double entendres have always tickled my funnybone. Colourful and whimsical imagery also hold great appeal for me. This blog is about a bit of both.
If you're interested, have a look over here which is where I first posted the sunflower found in The Smitten Image header.